Levi was gone when Natalie woke up. He had a full day executive committee meeting, and she'd taken a day's leave. She and Colleen had to meet Sam's contact down at the police station to officially lay a case of assault on Paul. Sam had agreed to meet them there.She checked her phone and read the texts from Emily. She was dying to know how her evening at the Empress had gone and whether she'd told Levi yet.She didn't want to entertain Emily so early in the morning, but if she kept quiet, her friend would keep pushing.Reluctantly, she typed up a brief text, keeping the details to a bare minimum. 'His mom confronted me, I told her the truth. Levi proposed, and I said no.'Like Natalie knew she would, Emily called immediately."Oh My God! Mr Scissors proposed?" she screamed on her end of the line.Natalie held the phone away from her and snapped, "Keep your voice down. Do you want the whole company to hear you?""Sorry," Emily whispered. "And you had to take leave today! I want all the

They met at The Empress.It was the same restaurant where Andrei Ivanov had pulled a gun on him. The same table too.Levi stood just inside the door, gritting his teeth. He hated that it had come to this. But there was no way he'd put Natalie through the trauma of a trial.The interrogation the day before was brutal on her, and he knew it would only get worse once the case went to trial."Fuck it!" he growled under his breath and crossed the room.Andrei looked up from the menu, his face splitting into a cold smile when he saw him approach."Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Van Holt," he drawled, a look of sheer glee dancing in his eyes as he stood up and shook his hand."I was very surprised when I got your call." Andrei continued as they sat down."You've been calling me like a little bitch; it was only right that I return at least one of your calls," Levi murmured as he picked up the menu and glanced over their signature drinks."So that's how you want to play this?" Andrei asked

The following afternoon, Natalie rushed home to prep for Colleen's surprise party. Emily and Seth were there in no time with four pizza boxes, and Mark showed up almost an hour later with an assortment of coolers and spirits."So much?" Natalie teased as she watched him chill a few coolers in the fridge."We have enough reason to celebrate, don't we?" he winked at her, leaving her wondering if he knew.No, she mentally shook herself. There was no way he knew. Colleen wouldn't tell him before she told Levi first. Her secret was still safe."How are you holding up?" she asked as she helped him hang a massive 'welcome home' banner on the wall.Emily followed it up with colourful string lights, squealing like a little kid when she turned them on and off."I don't know," Mark smiled. "Sometimes I have to pinch myself, you know, to make sure it's not a dream, and she's truly back."Natalie nodded. She understood. It was all she'd done since she moved in with Levi. Every time she was in his

The meeting with the board of Van Holt Industries had just begun when Angela came in with his iPad and a severe frown on her face.She leaned into him to deliver some terrible news."Mr Van Holt, HR would like you to authorise Ms Taylor's leave of absence—""What are you talking about?" He cut her off, dumbfounded by her announcement. Nothing she'd just said made any sense.Angela swiped and tapped on the screen and brought up Anna's email. He scanned it quickly, his heart thumping furiously in his chest."What the hell is this?" he demanded as he pushed the device away, stunning everyone—his father included—with the ferocity of his tone."Get Ms Taylor on the phone right now," he carried on as he got up and began to pace to the room. "And tell HR not to process the damn leave. Do you hear me, Angela? Ms Taylor will not be going anywhere.""Yes, sir."Leviticus gave him a warning look, but he ignored him. He didn't care about anything at that moment when his world was fast spinning ou

Leviticus called the whole night like a madman, and Levi ignored every one of his calls. He was too caught up with Natalie and their babies to worry about anything outside the walls of his penthouse."Maybe you should answer it?" Natalie suggested after Leviticus' eighth attempt to reach him.Levi shook his head and switched off his phone. "It's not important. But you are."He dipped his head and kissed her slowly, his hand resting on her tummy. He still found it incredible that Natalie didn't have just one, but two human beings growing inside her. And those two humans were a part of him as much as they were a part of her.Ten weeks.That was how far along she was, and he was already dying to tell everyone who'd listen he was going to be a father to two amazing humans.Natalie blocked out a very loud yawn with her hand. It was an emotionally taxing day for both of them, and she was clearly tired. They should get some rest. But Levi was afraid if he so much as fell asleep, she'd try an